Published May 7, 2020

By JILLIAN STRING

NORTH READING — With the announcement of school closures through June came questions about graduation and other senior week activities.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Daly and Senior Class President Emily Kuperstein began to answer some of these questions during the School Committee’s remote meeting Monday evening.

“We can’t give away all of the details and information at the moment, because there’s some things that we still need to get approved, obviously, by the town officials,” Daly said.

Kuperstein stated that the senior class officers sent out a survey to the Class of 2020 seeking input on what was most important to them in terms of a graduation ceremony and senior week activities.

The response from her classmates, Kuperstein told the committee, was that the “four most important parts of this were being with classmates, being with their immediate family, getting our diplomas, and being in a cap and gown, which all of those are very understandable.”

Based upon this feedback, Kuperstein stated that plans are underway for a two-part graduation that would incorporate student ideas and still keep everyone safe and remain in accordance with state and local guidelines for social distancing.

“We designed this two-part plan because we knew it would be important that all students would be able to attend some sort of a graduation ceremony in June, while still incorporating events that are very important to North Reading High School seniors’ traditions for either a late July or early August date,” Kuperstein said.

According to Kuperstein, the first part of the event would be some sort of rolling rally, and the second part of the event would include a traditional senior week activity, such as a BBQ or drive-in movie.

“We were able to reserve the Danversport prom location for a date in late July; again we’re really not totally sure if this will be possible at all, but we’re very hopeful that it will be,” Kuperstein said.

Kuperstein noted that senior week would end with students receiving diplomas.

“At the end of the week, (there would be) some sort of cap and gown event that would have the traditional graduation ceremony, again contingent upon the ability to do so in a safe manner,” Kuperstein said.

School Committee members recognized the efforts of the senior class officers and high school staff.

“I’m sorry that this is your graduation, but I appreciate that you guys are trying to make the best out of it,” School Committee Chairman Scott Buckley said. “From my perspective, graduation is about the seniors…at the end of the day, we really want this to be something that you guys will enjoy as best you can, and that you’ll remember.”

Daly thanked Kuperstein for her leadership and communication.

“She’s put in a lot of time and effort and has done a great job advocating for (her) classmates,” Daly said. “It’s true leadership, that I’m sure you didn’t see being a part of the role when you took on the role of class president…I think you really shined!”

Kuperstein thanked the administrative staff for their efforts as well.

“A huge thanks to Dr. Daly, Mr. Hehn, Mr. Loprete, and our two class advisors, Ms. Gagnon and Mr. MacIntosh. They’ve been amazing with understanding how difficult this is for all students, but especially the seniors right now, and have been really supportive with all of our ideas,” Kuperstein said.